A Full Week

Hello Everyone!

Sunday afternoon we had a visit with Bro. & Sis. Salt.  She could not be at Church as she has had recent hip surgery and she wanted to meet us.  She is very active in the community of Bandon.  It didn’t take her long to get us to volunteer to help out at The Barn!  The Barn is the name of the community center here in Bandon.  Not surprising, it is a building remodeled from an old barn.  Every Tuesday  E.A.T. (Everyone at the Table) serves a dinner to those in need.  We arrived on Tuesday at 5:00 pm to help serve the meal and then to clean up afterwards.  We got home about 8:00 pm feeling very tired and every inch the senior couple!

Monday was our “P-day” and true to the missionary schedule we got our laundry done.   Note to self… stock up on quarters!  We studied Preach my Gospel between loads.  In the afternoon we met with Pres. Stockford to go over the Branch Member list.  In fact we met with him at our tiny branch 3 days this week for that purpose.  It is always nice to know something about our Branch members when we meet with them.

Then it was off to the Post office, bank and the Chamber of Commerce to get the low-down on Bandon.  That’s the personal errands part of “P-day”.  Old Town Bandon was close by so of course we had stop at Cranberry Sweets to stock up on chocolate. 

That place is dangerous!  So many samples just sitting there to tempt us!  And we did partake! 

We drove to the Bandon Light House and walked a bit on the beach.  Nice afternoon and beautiful weather. 

We stopped by Norris the Tailor to get a pair of Lee’s dress slacks shortened.  He noticed our name tags and told us he was once a member of the Church.  We had a nice little discussion with him.  Two days later we stopped by to pick up our slacks and we gave him a Book of Mormon and a pamphlet and an invitation to come to Church.  Yea, one Book of Mormon down and countless numbers to go!

Brother Olive is a member of our branch and the Stake Mission Leader.  It was important for Elder Wels, in his new capacity as Branch Mission Leader, to meet with him this week.  He owns Woods of the West, a myrtlewood factory and store. 

We got the royal tour and got to see his computer laser machine in operation.  Very impressive.  He sweetly gave us a laser cut plaque of the Prophets of the Church. Pretty cool, huh?

We tried to divide our visits between active and non –active members.  The Hansen’s (a part member family) live right on the beach with a glorious view of the ocean.  I just parked myself at the window! Who could get tired of that view? 

Brother Ornsby lives in a small apartment and has the biggest fish lure collection!  The Shaw’s own Coastal Mist a chocolate and sandwich place in Old Town.  Bro. Shaw is a chocolatier!  His chocolates were fancy and unusual. 

The Powell’s own the Bandon Baking Co. in Old Town.  They love to feed the missionaries so they said lunch was on them whenever we wanted it.  I told her I was a Celiac and that a bread place was not really for me until she introduced me to her Cheesecake that is gluten-free!  She is my new best friend!  The invitation was sweet but we will use it sparingly.  

Bro. Vorwaller is a chainsaw artist!  A really talented man who is just getting started in the craft he loves.  Last may he took  4th place in a 4 day chainsaw carving contest in Reedsport.  They gave him a big piece of wood and he had to design and carve it.  The shark piece is his winning design. 

The Roufs live south of town.  He was adopted but just found his biological family through the television show, The Locator.  We had a brief visit with his wife as part of his family was there to visit.  We can’t wait to hear the whole story.  Every family has a story and every story is fascinating!  We have met some truly lovely people!

We attended our first District Meeting in Coos Bay. 

We met with 8 wonderful Elders from Coos Bay, North Bend, Coquille, and Reedsport.  Elder Johnson, the missionary from Klamath Falls who was with us during our hospital duty with Sister Cox last week, has been transferred to Coos Bay and is now our Zone leader!  It was nice to recognize a friendly face there.  He took us under his wing.  Thank goodness, because District Meeting is “role play” torture!  When I told them I did not particularly like to role play, they tended to pick on me even more!  If they weren’t so darn cute and knowledgeable, we might think of skipping that meeting next week.  Guess I am going to learn to role play!  I am going for the Oscar!

Here we are with President Stockford:

Have a great week!